Antivirus recommendation

when you plan for a antivirus solution on a server ... there are so many softwares avail..

it's depends up on your budget...

you can get best Mcafee, Symantec, Kaspersky etc. server versions

as well after configuration it needs to configure the Exclusion on the antivirus as well

ex: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/antispam-and-antimalware/windows-antivirus-software

if you wnat to install antispam as well ..i.e which comes with Mcafee ... you can install Antispam and antivirus both on 1 machine ..

all the best

Why you think you need antivirus on this server? Do you have file or web access to this server?
And, of course, you need antivirus on mail server. Look for compatible solution for it. Usually it is free clamav.

Thank you Sajid,

I had less good experience with Mcafee in the past, where we had to uninstall for a version upgrade, and had so much trouble getting the application uninstalled.  Even the removal tool failed at the time.  Perhaps the newer versions are an improvement?

I've had good results from Symantec in the past, perhaps this seems like the way to go.

The mail server (smarthost) is using "file-system" to spool outbound / inbound messages.
In the past we used to have Trend AV on the server, and it picked up quite a bit of addware & viruses in the mail spooling process.

Unfortunately this version of Trend is no longer compatible with Windows Server.  We've had problems installing the new Server version of Trend and doesn't seem as robust.

Hi Rupert Eghardt

Depends a little if its a single server, or do you need also a management console etc.

For a single instance you can use almost any antivirus software that is compatible with single installation on a server, but don't forgert to exclude any databases (sql, mail etc)

We use kaspersky and sophos.

regards
Thomas

You may have problems if you will use file antivirus not integrated with mail server. Server may "freeze" and even crash, because during check files will be not available for mail server. Look at integrated antivirus solution. What mail server is used?

A full blown AV solution is not needed on a server, only one able to scan mail.

it depends on the structure of the mailserver what would be the best choice.

I use Mail Enable software, storing  messages af msg files. Nothing more than the free Microsoft defender AV is needed to scan the messages.  

The server itself never opens mail attachments or websites, so that kind of functionality is wasted money.

Keep the solution simple and cheap (free), you deninatly won't need a full blown product (slowing down your server).

Thanks Andrew,
This is most helpful.  

Thomas, any issues with Kaspersky?
Another site had Kaspersky installed on a Windows Server 2016, which coincidentally broke the Windows Backup, and couldn't get fixed even with Kaspersky support.  It is still under investigation.

Als315, we use FTGate as a "front-end" smart-host server.
As mentioned, the Trend installation did quite well, before the version was restricted only to Windows for workstation.

We only need a single installation, not necessary for console.

Thanks Engeltjie,
I see Defender not installed by default on Win 2008 R2, will install from the desktop experience and see how it goes as a trial
In your experience, is Windows Defender adequate and up-to-date with add-ware and virus definitions?

Look at ftgate recommendations:
FTGate offers various levels of support for different anti-virus products.

Full support
This level of support is offered where the Anti-Virus vendors have given FTGate Technology access to their anti-virus API. At the time of writing these are AVG, Sophos and Panda.
 

Partial support
This level of support applies to products whose vendors have not supplied an API with which to access their product.  In this mode the level of scanning and error reporting will depend on the basic features of the scanner. Scanners supported in this mode include Norton, McAfee et al
http://docs.ftgate.com/ftgate-documentation/using-ftgate/filtering-anti-spam-anti-virus/anti-virus-overview/

Hi Guys,

We've installed Windows Defender, and tried spooling an e-mail with a "test-virus" definition.
Unfortunately Windows Defender did not pick it up at all.  The e-mail went straight through to the workstation.

We uninstalled Win-Defender, and installed Avast Business Antivirus, version 18.5.2535

It picked up the test-virus e-mail immediately and moved it to the Virus Chest.
So far I am impressed with the simplified installation / setup and easy of use.

We will run it on a 30 day trial, the cost is also Very reasonable.

I have used too many in the past, and all had some problem or another.

I am currently using Webroot, and find them to be better than all the others I have tried with very little load on the system, and so far, no problems for the last 8 months.

We uninstalled Win-Defender, and installed Avast Business Antivirus, version 18.5.2535
It picked up the test-virus e-mail immediately and moved it to the Virus Chest.
So far I am impressed with the simplified installation / setup and easy of use.
We will run it on a 30 day trial, the cost is also Very reasonable.

I'm glad you found that helpful Rupert. My clients tend to call me as soon as there's any sort of IT problem and I've yet to get a complaint from the firm using Avast's business solution. They also have it installed on both their server and all end-points (workstations) in their office.

I also have many home-based clients who use Avast Internet Security and they're very satisfied with the protection and performance they get from that as well. I use it on all my own machines (including my MAC, iPhones, and Android Phones) and have been recommending it for years. Reasonably priced and always rates very highly on Independent AV Comparative reports.

I'll be interested to hear how your experience with it goes.

Best, Andrew